General Configuration is where you'll adjust networking settings like which renderers to enable and make defaults, which router to stay bound to, and which open port on your firewall to go through. UMS automatically detects compatible media renderers on the network, from Windows Media Player to Google Chrome, to an Android phone, and displays IP addresses along with big, shiny graphics in the Status tab. You'll have to access this panel from your desktop toolbar since the program initially runs in the background. After downloading UMS to your PC, Mac, or Linux machine, you then start creating your server via the main panel.

But it's not nearly as intuitive and friendly to casual users as our top pick, Plex. Installing and setting up Universal Media Server (UMS) is slightly less painful than getting fellow open source media server Serviio to work. (Opens in a new window) Read Our Plex Review You can even put all of your content on a network-attached storage (NAS) device and use that as your server if you don't want to burden your computer. By communicating with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) devices, media servers can stream content on a range of devices including, say, laptops, game consoles, phones, and tablets connected to the same shared wired or wireless network. Universal Media Server, like most media servers, is based on pre-existing technology, in this case the PS3 Media Server.

Universal Media Server isn't the easiest product for setting up your own home media server, but it will give you plenty of functionality without asking for a dime. But some software only gives you a taste of sweet streaming action before charging for the best features. Using a home media server to stream videos, music, and photos throughout devices on your home network is a wonderful, convenient thing. Fails to work on some theoretically compatible devices.Web interface is plain and initially uncategorized.

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